NETRA QUADROTOR DRDO

Design and development

The Netra is a lightweight UAV, constructed of carbon fiber composites, that uses quadrotors to provide lift and control giving a VTOL capability. With no moving parts other than the rotors, motors and transmissions, the Netra requires very low maintenance and the low weight of 1.5 kg (3 lb), due to its carbon-fibre construction, makes the Netra easily portable.

A backpack case allows an operator to carry the system to field locations, initiate the flight plan and serve as the base station. It also contains the power supply, military-grade controller, hand-held operator console and the communication systems.

The development stage has been completed and Ideaforge is responsible for the production. The end-users can directly approach the company to buy the product and deliveries are expected to start by two months, and then continue at the rate of 10 units per month. The base price of the UAV is Rs1.5-2 million, and this can increase with purchase of additional components like a thermal camera.

Trial

10 prototypes were made during the development stage by DRDO and they were put under various tests like temperature tests (from -10°C to 55°C) and high-altitude tests. After the successful trials, the UAV was cleared for production and induction.

Capabilities

Operational altitude of the UAV is 200 meters and it is equipped with a wireless transmitter. It can carry out surveillance in an area of 1.5 km Line of Sight (LOS) and has an endurance capacity of 30 minutes, limited by battery charge. It has a high resolution CCD camera with a pan/tilt and zoom to facilitate wider surveillance and can also carry a thermal camera for night operations.

Navigation

The user does not have to provide input for flight and navigation, which is controlled by an on-board auto-pilot. The user interface offers waypoint navigation. The user specifies the target location, and the UAV automatically flies to the desired location. A built-in fail-safe allows it to return to base if there is loss of communication with the controller or if the battery is low in power. The UAV cannot operate in rain and further research is being done to make it operable in all weather conditions.

Applications

The Netra was designed for anti-terrorist and counter-insurgency operations in forested areas. It can also be deployed in hostage situations, border infiltration monitoring, local law enforcement operations, search and rescue operations, disaster management and aerial photography. It can operating in all conflict theatres, including urban quarters, in situations similar to that of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. It can track human activity, even in dense forests, using its camera payloads and was deployed at the request of the local law enforcement during a political rally in Chandigarh.

Operators

Defence Research and Development Organisation - 10 units

Border Security Force (BSF)

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) - 12 units

Mumbai Police